Sunday, January 29, 2012 – Update #7

The internet has been down most of the time at Lifeline for the last few days so we haven’t been able to communicate. Sunday was our day of rest. No one went to the work site. After getting up and having breakfast (prepared by Ernie), Candice and Michelle led us on a tour of the Lifeline property and then through the village of La Digue. We heard the history of Lifeline, got beautiful hilltop views of the ocean, went up to the dam, visited one of our Haitian friends’ very humble home and were followed around by village children all wanting to hold our hands.

We then had a little church service on the balcony and after James & I led worship, Pastor Moore gave a wonderful message.

After lunch, we drove about 30 minutes down the road to the Wahoo Bay beach resort. We enjoyed relaxing in the beautiful environment there and the fellowship was great – it was very refreshing. Quite a few of the guys swam, played football, etc. out in the ocean. Ernie and Pastor Benis rented a Sea Doo jet ski and rode around for their first time doing that. Others sat around and talked or read or swam in the pool or played ping pong.

Before sunset we did something really special. Bob and Linda Stovall celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary tomorrow so Linda and I plotted behind the scenes and planned a little surprise vowel renewal ceremony. So Pastor Moore had a message from Song of Solomon prepared and stood at the water’s edge and we gathered everyone else to form in lines on either side of the “isle.” Then Pastor Benis’ children descended down the lovely concrete stairs onto the beach as the flower girl and ring bearer, then came Dominique, then me and then finally, the lovely bride with a flower in her hair and in her hands. Celissa was the DJ playing pretty worship music for background on her laptop. Bob stood up with Pastor Moore and Jeremiah was his best man, who was holding little Jean Fritz (how appropriate in Haiti, ha ha). The ceremony was very romantic and after Bob kissed his bride, we got lots of pictures, then group pictures, and then we went up to the restaurant area and enjoyed our dinner. Some got lobster that was caught right off the shore there.

After dinner we headed back to Lifeline and I had “counseling” sessions with the girls who live there, ha ha while the men got things figured out for the building since half of our team would be leaving the next day.

By the way, James Whitehead is feeling much better. He thanks you for the prayers.

Blessings,

Nikki